Simon Doonan to Sign The Asylum at Barneys Oct. 19

Writer, bon-vivant, window dresser, fashion commentator -- Simon Doonan is kind of everything we aspire to be. The stylish scribe also serves as creative ambassador-at-large for Barneys New York. On Saturday, October 19, we and fellow fans of the witty, well-dressed Englishman have a chance to rub elbows with Doonan, as he signs and chit-chats about his latest book, The Asylum, at Barneys in Scottsdale.

Turns out models teetering down the runway in unwalkable stilettos are appropriately symbolic of the fashion industry's imbalance. Doonan's The Asylum collects essays on the matter of high fashion's inherent insanity, from couture's inescapable unsexiness and what infamous Vogue editor Anna Wintour's really like to how child star twinsies of the Full House variety have come to rule the runway.

Doonan will dish a few freaky, front-row fashion stories during his appearance on Saturday, which encompasses a meet-and-greet and a book-signing on the main floor of Barneys from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by e-mailing simonscottsdale@barneys.com.